Visions of Community: Current Trends

Presented by: Gayatri Erlandson

Some highlights July 12, 2008


Vision – Strategies – Goals defined: Vision is the inspiring, overall aspiration of the group and the general form it is to take which translates to specific goals. Strategies are the specific steps planned to accomplish those goals and are the most variable, according to changing resources, interests and needs.

The more ambitious the project, the more extensive the Vision – Strategy – Goals need to be. It has been said that many of the early, rural, eco-village intentional communities have had considerable conflict because their vision wasn’t clear. I would say that the vision didn’t match the ambitiousness of the project.

Building a home on a lot for a couple is notorious for stressing marriages to the point of divorce. Other major endeavors such as starting a new business (involving business plans, funding etc.) or creating a nonprofit organization typically take all the focus of those involved. In many of the early communities, all of these endeavors were taken on – and more – such as initiating a back-to-basics lifestyle, with the added challenge of group decision-making and achieving consensus.

Trend is toward simplifying – such as collaborative households. Most simple community structure in terms of requiring the least planning/vision clarification and financial investment, is for someone to rent a large home and then subrent to others. Second easiest is to own the home and rent out rooms to selected others. This trend is happening in Asheville.

The more people involved and the more interest in being a cohesive community, versus a collection of independent individuals, the more important it is to have a vision, written down agreements and guidelines for behavior.

Start individually or with a small group (2-3 people) who have a clear vision and go for what you really want! I highly recommend that if you are looking to start a community – even if you plan for it to become fairly large, that you specify and articulate it clearly from your passion and highest desire, and then find people who resonate strongly. Let it be unique, juicy and compelling to you! Trust that you can have what you really want!

Then let the Law of Attraction bring forth the right people, those who also are passionate about your project. When creating the vision and looking for those few initial co-conspirators, be highly selective and exclusive. The vision’s clarity (along with any strategy and goals) will allow new members to self-select with surprising success and efficiency for all.

As when considering a new job, spend considerable effort making sure there’s a good match for new people. Our effectiveness in job finding is enhanced when the company provides ample relevant information. Providing a ‘cultures course’ – training as to the philosophy and behavioral translation of the community’s vision, strategy and goals – prior to decision-making, can be very useful.

Create a ‘story of us’ and Vision Statement (an inspiring 1-2 sentence description of the group) and celebrate it regularly. A vision statement can be posted at the community ‘gate,’ framed on a wall plaque, put in flyers, brochures, a website, etc. Visited and celebrated regularly, a well-crafted vision statement and ‘story of us,’ expresses the group’s identity, provides cohesiveness and becomes a touchstone for collective nurturing, sustenance, direction and inspiration.

Gayatri Erlandson, PhD, Psychologist, humorist, philosopher, social architect, spiritual activist and co-publisher of Spirit in the Smokies: Magazine of New Paradigm Living for 12 years, soon to be online. She facilitates several workshops related to Intentional Community and conscious living. Gayatri lives at Lotus Lodge, a cohousing-like community of 10.

Her website is: www.livingnewstories.com

This wonderful presentation was attended by about 20 interested communitarians at our regular monthly meeting. Then the rain started as we left.